System And Method For Determining A Time When The Blood Alcohol Concentration Has Passed A Threshold Level

ABSTRACT

A system operable to determine a future point of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold value. The system includes an alcohol sensor operable to detect a current alcohol concentration in blood of the user, and a portable apparatus. The alcohol sensor and the portable apparatus each comprise a wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus in the alcohol sensor is operable to wirelessly transmit the current alcohol concentration to the wireless communication apparatus in the portable apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/802,085 filed Jul. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/095,358 filed May 29, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.9,250,227, which claim priority to International Application No.PCT/SE2006/050521, filed on Nov. 29, 2006, which claims priority toSweden application no. SE 0502615.8 filed Nov. 29, 2005, which areherein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a system operable todetermine a future point of time, at which the alcohol concentration inblood of a user is less than a threshold value.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a method fordetermining a future point of time, at which the alcohol concentrationin blood of a user is less than a threshold value.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to at least one computerprogram product for determining a future point of time, at which thealcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold value.

BACKGROUND

The patent document U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,601 discloses an alcohol bodyconcentration calculator 10 which will enable a drinker satisfactorilylimit his body alcohol concentration. The alcohol body concentrationcalculator 10 comprises a keyboard 12, a buzzer of alarm 13, a fourdigit numerical display 14, a three digit numerical display 15, and adot matrix display 16. The keyboard 12 incorporates a number of groupsof keys: a numeric group generally indicated at 17, personal bodycharacteristic keys generally indicated at 18, consumption keysgenerally indicated at 19, alarm control keys generally indicated at 20,a clock control key 21, and data identification and request keysgenerally indicated at 22. Having set the calculator 10 for his personaluse, by using the keys 18, the user then sets the clock to the correcttime. The user then carries the calculator 10 with him and when he isabout to consume either food or alcohol he presses the respective one ofconsumption buttons 19 (food button 28 and alcohol button 29) and typesin the starting time of the intake. It will be noted that the user isrequired to input information concerning the number of drinks or drinkunits that he has consumed. In order for this calculator 10 to work withhigh accuracy, a table is supplied with the device to assist the user ininserting the correct number of drink units.

A disadvantage with this calculator 10 is that it will probably not givea high accuracy as the user is getting more and more drunk, because hehas to use and read a table and then input the correct number of drinkunits on the calculator 10. Another disadvantage is that it is a ratherbig calculator and that it has to be carried by the user all the time heis consuming food or alcohol.

The patent document U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,449 relates to an innovativeIndex-K which is used to help in diagnosing an alcohol disorder in humanby taking into account individual differences in Alcohol BreakdownActivity (ABA). Using the Index-K instrument, a variety ofpharmacokinetical data is integrated into a single value which isdefined as the ratio between descending Area Under a plotted Curve (AUC)and the ascending AUG for a pharmacokinetical curve. This ratio presentsthe individual's quantitative assessment of the efficiency of ABA overdisplaying commensurability of the alcohol elimination power by virtueof the protection barriers for alcohol absorption. This method can beused as a diagnostic tool for alcoholism.

A disadvantage with this method is that it is not convenient for anunskilled user. This method is conveniently used by the health servicein diagnosing alcoholism.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above mentionedproblem. It is also an object of the invention to provide a veryconvenient way for a user to determine a future point of time, at whichthe alcohol concentration in blood of the user is less than a thresholdvalue.

According to the present invention there is provided in a first aspect asystem operable to determine a future point of time, at which thealcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold value.The system comprises an alcohol sensor means operable to detect acurrent alcohol concentration in blood of the user, and a portableapparatus. The alcohol sensor means and the portable apparatus compriseseach a wireless communication means. The wireless communication means inthe alcohol sensor means is operable to wireless transmit the currentalcohol concentration to the wireless communication means in theportable apparatus. The portable apparatus comprises also a to thewireless communication means connected control means, a clock means, anda memory means, each connected to the control means. The control meansis operable to store the current alcohol concentration and a currenttime stamp from the clock means in the memory means. The portableapparatus comprises also a to the control means connected calculationmeans operable to calculate the future point of time in dependence of aknown alcohol burn rate of the user stored in the memory means, or analcohol burn rate calculated by the calculation means in dependence ofcharacteristics of the user which have an influence on the alcohol burnrate.

An advantage with this system is that the user only has to handle thealcohol sensor means when he/she is consuming alcohol. This willprobably increase the accuracy because the user will not have to read atable and then input the correct number of drink units on e. g. acalculator. Another important advantage with this system is that it isvery convenient for an unskilled user to use. Furthermore, the system isalso very flexible.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if said portableapparatus also comprises an to said control means connected input meanswith the aid of which said user is able to input said characteristics ofsad user in the form of sex, age, weight, health status, pregnant,kidneys, stomach, diet, physical fitness, deceases that affects saidalcohol burn rate, and any drugs that said user takes.

Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if said alcohol sensormeans also comprises a means operable to receive exhalation air fromsaid user, and in that said alcohol sensor means comprises a fuel-cell.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if said wirelesscommunication means each is a radio transmitting and receiving deviceusing low power.

Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if portable apparatus isin the form of a mobile telephone, a mobile communicator, a personaldigital assistant, a handheld computer, a navigation equipment, or aportable computer.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if the portableapparatus can be connected to an ignition unit of a motor vehicle,whereby said vehicle is prevented from getting started if the currentalcohol concentration is higher than a predetermined threshold value.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for determining afuture point of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of auser is less than a threshold value. The method comprises the followingsteps:

-   -   to detect a current alcohol concentration in blood of said user        with the aid of an alcohol sensor means;    -   to wireless transmit said current alcohol concentration to a        portable apparatus; and    -   to calculate said future point of time in dependence of a known        alcohol burn rate of said user, or an alcohol burn rate        calculated in dependence of characteristics of said user which        have an influence on said alcohol burn rate.

An advantage with this method is that the user only has to handle thealcohol sensor means when he/she is consuming alcohol. This willprobably increase the accuracy because the user will not have to readany table and then input the correct number of drink units on e.g. acalculator. Another important advantage with this method is that it isvery convenient for an unskilled user to use. Furthermore, the method isalso very flexible.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if said method alsocomprises the step:

-   -   to input said characteristics of said user in the form of sex,        age, weight, health status, pregnant, kidneys, stomach, diet,        physical fitness, deceases that affects said alcohol burn rate,        and any drugs that said user takes.

Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if said method alsocomprises the step:

-   -   that said user exhales exhalation air into said alcohol sensor        means, and in that said alcohol sensor means comprises a        fuel-cell.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if said wirelesstransmission step is performed with the aid of a radio transmitting andreceiving device using low power.

Furthermore, it is an advantage in this context if said portableapparatus is in the form of a mobile telephone, a mobile communicator, apersonal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a navigation equipment,or a portable computer.

A further advantage in this context is achieved if said method alsocomprises the steps:

-   -   to connect said portable apparatus to an ignition unit of a        motor vehicle; and    -   to prevent said motor vehicle from getting started if said        current alcohol concentration is higher than a predetermined        threshold value.

Another object of the invention is to provide at least one computerprogram product directly loadable into the internal memory of at leastone digital computer. The at least one computer program productcomprises software code portions for performing the steps of the methodaccording to the present invention, when the at least oneproduct/products is/are run on the at least one computer.

An advantage with this/these computer program product/products is/arethat the user only has to handle the alcohol sensor means when he/she isconsuming alcohol. This will probably increase the accuracy because theuser will not have to read any table and then input the correct numberof drink units on e. g. a calculator. Another important advantage withthis/these product/products is/are that it/they is/are very convenientfor an unskilled user to use. Furthermore, the product/products is/arevery flexible.

It should be emphasized that he term “comprises/comprising” when used inthis specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features,steps or components but does not preclude the presence of one or moreother features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with a reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system operable to determine a futurepoint of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user isless than a threshold value according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for determining a future point oftime, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user is less thana threshold value according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of some computer program productsaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1 there is disclosed a system 10 operable to determine a futurepoint of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user isless than a threshold value according to the present invention. Thesystem 10 comprises an alcohol sensor means 12 operable to detect acurrent alcohol concentration in blood of the user. As also is apparentin FIG. 1 , the system 10 also comprises a portable apparatus 14. Thealcohol sensor means 12 and the portable apparatus 14 each comprises awireless communication means 16 ₁₂; 16 ₁₄. The wireless communicationmeans 16 ₁₂ in the alcohol sensor means 12 is operable to wirelesstransmit the current alcohol concentration to the wireless communicationmeans 16 ₁₄ in the portable apparatus 14. As is apparent in FIG. 1 , theportable apparatus 14 also comprises a to the wireless communicationmeans 16 ₁₄ connected control means 18, a clock means 20, and a memorymeans 22, each connected to the control means 18. The control means 18is operable to store the current alcohol concentration and a currenttime stamp from the clock means 20 in the memory means 22. The portableapparatus 14 also comprises a to the control means 18 connectedcalculation means 24 operable to calculate the future point of time independence of a known alcohol burn rate of the user stored in the memorymeans 22, or an alcohol burn rate calculated by the calculation means 24in dependence of characteristics of the user which have an influence onthe alcohol burn rate. As also is apparent in FIG. 1 , the portableapparatus 14 can also comprise an input means 26 connected to thecontrol means 18. With the input means 26, e.g. a keypad, the user isable to input the characteristics of the user in the form of sex, age,weight, health status, pregnancy, kidneys, stomach, diet, physicalfitness, deceases that affects the alcohol burn rate, and any drugs thatthe user takes.

According to one preferred embodiment of the system 10, the alcoholsensor means 12 also comprises a means (not disclosed) operable toreceive exhalation air from the user. The alcohol sensor means 12comprises in this embodiment a fuel-cell.

According to another embodiment of the system 10, each of the wirelesscommunication means 16 ₁₂; 16 ₁₄ is a radio transmitting and receivingdevice using low power such as Bluetooth®.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the system 10, theportable apparatus 14 is in the form of a mobile telephone, a mobilecommunicator, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, anavigation equipment, or a portable computer.

According to another preferred embodiment of the system 10, the portableapparatus 14 can be connected to an ignition unit of a motor vehicle,whereby the motor vehicle is prevented from getting started if thecurrent alcohol concentration is higher than a predetermined value.

In FIG. 2 there is disclosed a flow chart of a method for determining afuture point of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of auser is less than a threshold value according to the present invention.The method begins at block 50. At block 52 the method continues with thestep: to detect a current alcohol concentration in blood of the userwith the aid of an alcohol sensor means 12 (see FIG. 1 ). Thereafter,the method continues, at block 54, with the step: to wireless transmitthe current alcohol concentration from the alcohol sensor means 12 to aportable apparatus 14 (see FIG. 1 ). The method then continues, at block56, to ask the question: Is there a known alcohol burn rate for theuser? If the answer to this question is affirmative, the methodcontinues, at block 60, with the step: to calculate the future point oftime in dependence of the known alcohol burn rate of the user. On theother, if the if the answer to the question is negative, the methodcontinues, at block 58, with the step: to calculate an alcohol burn ratefor the user in dependence of characteristics of the user which have aninfluence on the alcohol burn rate. Thereafter, the method continues, atblock 60, with the step: to calculate the future point of time independence of the calculated alcohol burn rate. The method is competedat block 62.

According to another preferred embodiment of the method according to thepresent invention, the method also comprises the step: to input thecharacteristics of the user in the form of sex, age, weight, healthstatus, pregnancy, kidneys, stomach, diet, physical fitness, deceasesthat affects the alcohol burn rate, and any drugs taken by the user.

According to yet another embodiment of the method according to thepresent invention, the method also comprises the step performed by theuser: to exhale exhalation air into the alcohol sensor means 12.According to this embodiment, the alcohol sensor means 12 comprises afuel-cell.

According to another preferred embodiment of the method according to thepresent invention, the wireless transmission step is performed with theaid of a radio transmitting and receiving device using low power such asBluetooth®.

According to yet another embodiment of the method, the portableapparatus 14 is in the form of a mobile telephone, a mobilecommunicator, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, anavigation equipment, or a portable computer.

According to another preferred embodiment of the method according to thepresent invention, the method also comprises the steps: to connect theportable apparatus 14 to an ignition unit of a motor vehicle; and toprevent the motor vehicle from getting started if the current alcoholconcentration of the user is higher than a predetermined thresholdvalue.

In FIG. 3 there is disclosed a schematic diagram of some computerprogram products according to the present invention. There is disclosedn different digital computers 100 ₁, . . . , 100 _(n), wherein n is aninteger. There is also disclosed n different computer program products102 ₁, . . . , 102 _(n), here showed in the form of compact discs. Thedifferent computer program products 102 ₁, . . . , 102 _(n), aredirectly loadable into the internal memory of the n different digitalcomputers 100 ₁, . . . , 100 _(n). Each computer program product 102 ₁,. . . , 102 _(n), comprises software code portions for performing someor all the steps of FIG. 2 when the product(s) 102 ₁, . . . , 102 _(n)is/are run on said computer(s) 100 ₁, . . . , 100 _(n), Said computerprogram products 102 ₁, . . . , 102 _(n) can e. g. be in the form offloppy disks, RAM disks, magnetic tapes, opto magnetical disks or anyother suitable products.

It is pointed out that the calculation means 24 (see FIG. 1 ) make useof formulas about the burn rate of alcohol in the human body. Theformulas are parameterized to allow for individual forecasting of whenthe person/user can start driving cars, start to breast-feed etc.

The system 10 can also be calibrated to enhance the reading accuracy.The calibration can be done over many different occasions or during thesame occasion.

Due to the use of the characteristics of he user, the system 10 can bewhat is called a self calibrating system 10.

Due to the use of the clock means 20 in the system 10, the system 10makes use of a so called time axle in that the clock means 20 keepsrecord of the current time and the system 10 performs correctionsdependent on e. g. the aging of the user.

It is pointed out that the portable apparatus 14 can be used in cars,boats or any other type of vehicles.

The system 10 can also be used to check employees before they areentitled to proceed with their duties, e.g. to check-out keys to busses,taxis, trucks etc. It can also be used as a combined time clock andsafety device.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in theforegoing. It will be obvious that many different modifications arepossible within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system operable to determine a future point oftime, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user is less thana threshold value, the system comprises an alcohol sensor means operableto detect a current alcohol concentration in blood of the user, and aportable apparatus, wherein the alcohol sensor means, and the portableapparatus each comprises a wireless communication means, wherein thewireless communication means in the alcohol sensor means is operable towireless transmit the current alcohol concentration to the wirelesscommunication means in the portable apparatus, and in that the portableapparatus also comprises a to the wireless communication means connectedcontrol means, a clock means, and a memory means, each connected to thecontrol means, wherein the control means is operable to store thecurrent alcohol concentration and a current time stamp from the clockmeans in the memory means, and in that the portable apparatus alsocomprises a to the control means connected calculation means operable tocalculate the future point of time in dependence of a known alcohol burnrate of the user stored in said memory means, or an alcohol burn ratecalculated by the calculation means in dependence of characteristics ofthe user which have an influence on the alcohol burn rate.
 2. A systemoperable to determine a future point of time, at which the alcoholconcentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold valueaccording to claim 1, wherein the portable apparatus also comprises anto the control means connected input means with the aid of which theuser is able to input the characteristics of the user in the form ofsex, age, weight, health status, pregnant, kidneys, stomach, diet,physical fitness, diseases that affects the alcohol burn rate, and anydrugs that the user takes.
 3. A system operable to determine a futurepoint of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user isless than a threshold value according to claim 1, wherein the alcoholsensor means also comprises a means operable to receive exhalation airfrom the user, and in that the alcohol sensor means comprises afuel-cell.
 4. A system operable to determine a future point of time, atwhich the alcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than athreshold value according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communicationmeans each is a radio transmitting and receiving device using low power.5. A system operable to determine a future point of time, at which thealcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold valueaccording to claim 1, wherein that portable apparatus is in the form ofa mobile telephone, a mobile communicator, a personal digital assistant,a handheld computer, a navigation equipment, or a portable computer. 6.A system operable to determine a future point of time, at which thealcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold valueaccording to claim 1, wherein that portable apparatus can be connectedto an ignition unit of a motor vehicle, whereby the vehicle is preventedfrom getting started if the current alcohol concentration is higher thana predetermined threshold value.
 7. A method for determining a futurepoint of time, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user isless than a threshold value, the method comprise the steps: (a) todetect a current alcohol concentration in blood of the user with the aidof an alcohol sensor means; (b) to wireless transmit the current alcoholconcentration to a portable apparatus; and (c) to calculate the futurepoint of time in dependence of a known alcohol burn rate of the user, oran alcohol burn rate calculated in dependence of characteristics of theuser which have an influence on the alcohol burn rate.
 8. A method fordetermining a future point of time, at which the alcohol concentrationin blood of a user is less than a threshold value according to claim 7,wherein the method also comprises the step: (a) to input thecharacteristics of the user in the form of sex, age, weight, healthstatus, pregnant, kidneys, stomach, diet, physical fitness, diseasesthat affects the alcohol burn rate, and any drugs that the user takes.9. A method for determining a future point of time, at which the alcoholconcentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold valueaccording to claim 7, wherein that the method also comprises the step:(a) that the user exhales exhalation air into the alcohol sensor means,and in that the alcohol sensor means comprises a fuel-cell.
 10. A methodfor determining a future point of time, at which the alcoholconcentration in blood of a user is less than a threshold valueaccording to claim 7, wherein that the wireless transmission step isperformed with the aid of a radio transmitting and receiving deviceusing low power.
 11. A method for determining a future point of time, atwhich the alcohol concentration in blood of a user is less than athreshold value according to claim 7, wherein that the portableapparatus is in the form of a mobile telephone, a mobile communicator, apersonal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a navigation equipment,or a portable computer.
 12. A method for determining a future point oftime, at which the alcohol concentration in blood of a user is less thana threshold value according to claim 7, wherein the method alsocomprises the steps: (a) to connect the portable apparatus to anignition unit of a motor vehicle; and (b) to prevent the motor vehiclefrom getting started if the current alcohol concentration is higher thana predetermined threshold value.
 13. At least one computer programproduct directly loadable into the internal memory of at least onedigital computer, comprising software code portions for performing thesteps of claim 7 when at least one product is run on at least onecomputer.